When you’re buying a garage floor, you probably want to make sure it holds up to what you have in mind. Here, we answer a few of your more pressing questions about garage flooring.
Can I use a car jack on garage tiles?
The answer here depends on what type of tile you own.
Our hard tiles, such as our Nitro Tiles, cannot withstand the weight of a car jack directly on them. Instead, we recommend the use of plywood or sheet metal under the car jack to help distribute the weight evenly across tiles. This prevents damage to your garage tiles.
Alternatively, use the car jack directly on concrete.
On the other hand, soft PVC garage tiles are car jack approved. Since they have the ability to flex, these tiles will not be damaged under the weight of a car jack.
Shop Car Jack Approved Tiles
The answer here depends on what type of tile you own.Instead, we recommend the use of plywood or sheet metal under the car jack to help distribute the weight evenly across tiles. This prevents damage to your garage tiles.Alternatively, use the car jack directly on concrete.On the other hand, soft PVC garage tiles are car jack approved. Since they have the ability to flex, these tiles will not be damaged under the weight of a car jack.
Can garage tiles be installed over radiant heat?
Hey, sometimes winters are cold and garage tiles aren’t just installed in the garage. They’re really great for other places too.
The good news is
all of our garage flooring products can be installed over radiant heating coils. However, we do recommend you follow the radiant heating manufacturer’s installation instructions when installing our flooring over it.
Is garage flooring durable in extreme heat or cold?
The short answer is yes! All of our garage flooring products are built to withstand extreme heat or cold. In fact, we’re based out of Arizona, where it’s not uncommon for our garages to rise above 120 degrees. Yikes.
Our garage flooring has been installed in the hottest of climates (like ours!) and also in extreme cold.
The heat, nor snow, will damage garage flooring.
However, your garage flooring will experience natural expansion and contraction depending on the temperature.
What is the difference between rolling/rotating weight and static weight?
Rolling weight is a weight that is moving across the floor, such as your vehicle driving into your garage. Meanwhile, static weight refers to the weight of the vehicle when not in motion. These loads are measured in pounds per square inch (PSI).
If the rolling weight or static weight exceeds what your garage tiles can handle, your flooring could be damaged and require replacement. To disperse the weight of heavy static loads and protect your flooring, you may be able to install a 1/2″ plywood sheet cut to fit under your vehicle.
How does snow and water drainage from cars affect garage flooring?
Water and snow will not damage garage flooring. Depending on which flooring you have the water will either drain out of the garage or evaporate.
Garage flooring rolls used in sloped garages will allow water and snow to melt and drain out of the garage. Any residual moisture will evaporate.
Vented garage tiles easily allow melted snow and water to pass through garage tiles to drain and evaporate.
Garage tiles interlock very tightly, essentially making these tiles water tight.
In most instances
water will not penetrate through your floor, but if it does, it will simply evaporate. The rest will drain out of your garage like normal.
If the garage is not graded to allow water to flow out of the garage or does not have a drain, over time the water will evaporate.
Basically, any water left in your garage from snow or rain will not damage you garage flooring.
Does trapped water create mold and mildew under my garage flooring?
Rarely does water get “trapped” beneath your floor.
If water does seep beneath your floor, it will evaporate. Our garage flooring is mold and mildew resistant, so this should not be a concern.
If your garage is prone to sweating, or if you’re installing in a moisture prone basement,
we do recommend sealing the concrete if you’re installing vinyl garage rolls.
If you’re installing over concrete that sweats, you may find some white “stuff” under your garage flooring. This is merely minerals left over from evaporating water.